Canada draws Tunisia 0-0 after learning first World Cup opponent

By Canadian Press on March 31, 2026.

TORONTO — Canada played Tunisia to a soggy 0-0 draw in an international friendly Tuesday night.

The men’s national team also finally knows its first World Cup opponent.

The Canadians had plenty of chances — but were unable to find the finish — in a game played hours after Bosnia-Herzegovina stunned Italy in a penalty shootout to clinch a European playoff and book the final spot in Group B this summer.

Bosnia-Herzegovina will face the Canadians, currently ranked No. 30 by FIFA, in Toronto on June 12 in the opening match for both teams.

The Italians, four-time champions currently sitting No. 12 in the world, will miss the showcase tournament a third straight time following a 4-1 loss on penalties to FIFA’s 66th-ranked nation.

Canada, which is sharing World Cup co-hosting duties with the United States and Mexico, wrapped up a March camp that included a number of injury absences, including captain Alphonso Davies, midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, and key defenders Alistair Johnston and Moïse Bombito.

Tuesday’s match against No. 44 Tunisia was delayed more than 90 minutes by thunder, lightning and torrential rain on Toronto’s waterfront.

Canada’s players returned to the pitch to continue warm-ups after the weather cleared as Rihanna’s 2007 hit “Umbrella” featuring Jay-Z rang around BMO Field, which has undergone a number of upgrades, including the addition of more than 17,000 temporary seats, and will be known as “Toronto Stadium” during the World Cup.

Wearing its black change kit, the Canadians roared out of the gate in the first half with a boatload of opportunities as hearty supporters for both countries were in full voice.

Tani Oluwaseyi and Liam Millar, starting on the right side of midfield for the suspended Tajon Buchanan, both had good chances before Niko Sigur fired high over Mouhi Chamakh’s goal. Starting his first game for Canada, Marcelo Flores ran the show from the centre of the park.

But it was Tunisia, which qualified for the World Cup and will open Group F against Sweden on June 14 after that country’s playoff victory over Poland earlier Tuesday, that had the best opportunity to go in front in the 35th minute.

A mistake by Canadian defender Joel Waterman led to a 2-on-0 break the other way, but Millar made a lung-busting run to block Elias Saad’s chance after Sayfallah Ltaief’s pass led his strike partner a little too far. Goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau and head coach Jesse Marsch both emphatically celebrated as if their winger had scored at the other end.

Coming off Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Iceland in another friendly after trailing 2-0 at halftime, Canada again had more of the ball in the second half, but the team was unable to find a way through for a clean look at Chamakh.

Miller was shown a yellow card for diving in the 74th minute in Tunisia’s penalty area, much to Marsch and his player’s chagrin.

After its curtain-raising World Cup encounter just over 70 days away in Toronto against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Canadians will travel west to meet Qatar on June 18 and Switzerland on June 24 at Vancouver’s B.C. Place Stadium.

Canada has two more international friendlies before the tournament — June 1 in Edmonton against No. 50 Uzbekistan and No. 59 Ireland in Montreal four days later.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press